Monday, January 26, 1998

KANSAS -- In what is believed to be the first case of its kind, the owner of three Rottweilers that mauled an 11-year-old boy to death was convicted Friday of unintentional second-degree murder.

The Geary County District Court jury deliberated less than three hours over two days before convicting Sabine Davidson, 27.

Davidson's sentencing is scheduled for March 2.

She could face a prison sentence of up to 12 years and 10 months if she has no previous felony convictions. If there are earlier convictions, her sentence could be as long as 51 years and 4 months. The judge ordered a pre-sentence evaluation.

Under Kansas law, the defendant would have to serve 80 percent of the sentence before being paroled.

Davidson's husband, Jeffrey Davidson, 41, is scheduled to go on trial March 23. He is free on $25,000 bond.